Three Muslim Ahmadi mosques attacked in four days in Pakistan
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has once again denounced religious persecution in Pakistan. Up to three Ahmadi Muslim mosques have been attacked in four days in Pakistan.
In an official statement, the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community has once again condemned the events, thus denouncing the religious persecution suffered in Pakistan.
The official statement is reproduced below:
RELIGIOUS FREEDOM UNDER THREAT IN PAKISTAN: THREE MOSQUES ATTACKED IN FOUR DAYS
14 acts of desecration this year: Ahmadi mosques continue to be the target of religious hatred.
It is with great concern that we regret to report yet another distressing incident involving attacks on our mosques. Such attacks have occurred in three separate cases in a span of four days. This alarming trend represents an escalation in hostility against the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, with other mosques also facing threats. The following is a brief description of these events and the response of the Ahmadiyya Community in Pakistan to these events.
Attack on the Mihrab of the Ahmadiyya Mosque in MaliPara, District Sanghar
5 August 2023: The Ahmadiyya Mosque in MaliPara, Sanghar District was desecrated. The assailants, armed with hammers, attacked the Mihrab (prayer niche) of the mosque. This act of vandalism caused extensive damage to the Mihrab. It is important to note that a complaint had previously been registered against the Sanghar district chairman for practising Islamic rites, which is indicative of the tension in the area.
In response to the attack on the Ahmadiyya mosque in MaliPara, the Community spokesman emphasised the alarming trend of attacks on their places of worship. "Evildoers continue to attack our places of worship with impunity. The MaliPara incident is another painful reminder of the vulnerability of our holy places". He further noted that in Sindh province, this is the seventh attack on Ahmadi places of worship this year. Expressing frustration at the lack of justice, he added: "None of those accused of such incidents have been held accountable for their actions. This impunity is worrying.
Desecration of minarets at Ahmadiyya place of worship at 168 Murad, Bahawalnagar
6 August 2023: The situation around 168 Murad, Bahawalnagar, has become critical, marked by increased opposition activities. Several threats have been made to demolish the minarets and Mihrab of an Ahmadiyya mosque, accompanied by announcements of demonstrations and rallies. In response to these threats, the Community Delegation contacted the District Police Officer (DPO) of Bahawalnagar, requesting his intervention to ensure security.
However, on the night of 6 August 2023, at around 11 a.m., opponents attacked this mosque, desecrating the minarets. The incident was reported to the police. The authorities have taken cognizance of the matter, and a First Information Report (FIR) has been lodged against unidentified individuals.
The Community spokesman, referring to the distressing incident in Bahawalnagar, commented on the worsening situation of the Ahmadis in Pakistan. He said: "Persecution of the Ahmadi community is reaching unconscionable levels, with assailants relentlessly attacking our holy places. Desecration of minarets in multiple areas, especially in Punjab, has become a worrying practice". He highlighted the alarming inaction of the authorities, noting, "The authorities are not protecting us. On the contrary, they are becoming complicit in these acts by not taking the necessary steps to curb this violence. This disturbing trend of desecration continues unabated, and urgent intervention is crucial".
Police removed the minaret from the Ahmadiyya Mosque at EB 373, Vehari
8 August 2023: The dramatic wave of attacks on Ahmadiyya Community places of worship continues. The latest incident involved the destruction of a minaret by the police themselves. On 8 August, at EB 373, Thana Sheikh Faazal Tehsil Burewala, Distt Vehari, police demolished a minaret that had stood for 53 years, taking the debris with them.
The Ahmadiyya Community spokesman commented: "State institutions have a responsibility to protect vulnerable groups from extremist elements in society. It is disheartening to witness how in our beloved nation, these institutions have moved away from their role of controlling extremists and instead have become tools in their hands."
"These actions by extremists are tarnishing the reputation of our beloved country on the international stage. While our nation advocates against Islamophobia around the world, it is unfortunate to see that within our own borders the police are cracking down on a vulnerable community," the spokesman added.
It is sad that the patriotic Ahmadiyya Community, which played an important role in the creation of Pakistan, continues to be subjected to atrocities by groups who opposed the creation of our nation. The spokesman stressed the importance of protecting the security of all citizens, irrespective of their beliefs, for the progress and prosperity of the nation.
Added to this year's 14, there have now been 28 incidents of desecration in the last two years. These repeated attacks underline the dire need for justice and the implementation of Justice Jilani's decision of 3 2014 to safeguard all places of worship for all citizens. The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community demands justice and a resolute stance against these acts of hatred that undermine the values of coexistence and religious freedom.
